The Analysis of Water Mass Movement in Lake Kisezers for Evaluation of Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Lake Kisezers is located near the Baltic Sea, the lake has a catchment area of 1903.26 km2 with a high potential for anthropogenic impacts both from water quantity and quality perspectives. This research aims to analyse the movement of water mass in Lake Kisezers and determine how to manage and help keep the lake sustainable. Lake Kisezers was selected as the study site, because of water level and flow data availability and hydrological vulnerability. The methodology used in this research is modifiable and different parts of the research can be used for the analysis of water mass movement in other lakes. Lake Kisezers is an example of how to perform an analysis of the hydrological regime. The research territory is complex because it is possible to study how water mass from the Baltic Sea, catchment area, Daugava River, and Riga HPP interact and influence the hydrological regime in Lake Kisezers. The data sets of water level used in this study are available since 1929. Lake Kisezers has a maximum water level change of 3.17 m. The study evaluates how water mass movements can affect the environmental sustainability of the lake. The results from the hydrological regime analysis can be used for further research and territory management in the favor of lake’s environmental quality and economic development. The research tasks are accomplished as the suggestions on how to manage Lake Kisezers in a sustainable manner have been elaborated.

Keywords

• anthropogenic impact
• hydrological regime
• water level
• water mass movement